Chương 6: chapter 6
Next Morning. Naruto`s House.
Usually, a mourning in Naruto`s house is a pretty quiet one, with both of his kids having breakfast, their parents watching over them, talking between themselves and amongst themselves, after which Yasaka and Masamune go play outside under the watchful eyes of Matatabi and Yugito, whilst Naruto usually goes on a mourning training routine, with Kurama, with the help of her own Shadow Clones, cleaning up the house and going to the town`s school, where she often helps out with teaching kids.
Naruto, after his mourning training, would head to town as well, checking things out there, along with catching up with Tazuna, Tsunami, Inari, folks in general, and, of course, with some of his closest friends that have moved to neutral and peaceful Land of Wave to live after Mizu`s Civil War. During his time as first mercenary for hire, and later on a legitimate soldier, commander and supporter of Ieyasu Tokugawa and his faction, Naruto has made himself many lifelong friends, establishing lasting friendships and bonds with people around him. By the time the war had ended, Naruto could`ve said that he knew practically all of Mizu and half of it was in his friends list. And two of Naruto`s closest ones also now lived in Wave, and in the mission that he had accepted from Tsunade, he will need their help.
But, back to the morning and breakfast, where Naruto`s family has gathered, along with Karin, Kurenai, Anko, and Tsunade, with them immediately noticing coming two kids, who already bid their greetings to Kurama, Yugito and Masamune…
"Ah, you two my little cuties, aren`t you happy to see your Baa-chan?" Tsunade said with a fake sad tone, with both Yasaka and Masamune already running and hugging their beloved Baa-chan, while Kurama and Yugito playfully admonished silently Tsunade for this act. "Ah, how I`ve missed you two, my little rascals. Ya-chan, Maa-kun, have you missed your Baa-chan?"
"Of course, Baa-chan. Maa-kun and I are really, really happy to see you!" Yasaka said with a smile, with Masamune smiling and nodding eagerly, with Tsunade hugging her grandkids even tighter.
"Um, Naruto, I just noticed that while your daughter seems pretty talkative, your son on the other hand…" Kurenai, having witnessed the mourning exchange of words in the family, decided to ask something that bugged her out a bit.
"Masamune is fine, Kurenai, he simply likes to speak when he has something to say, as Yugi-chan said to me. According to her, my son is too smart to waste words for something that people already know about him or something obvious." Naruto said to Kurenai, who nodded to this one. "I think he gets this one from me. I was the same way when I was his age, wasn`t I?"
"Hm… Now that you mention it, you were like that too." Kurenai nodded to this, turning her gaze towards children, as the two made their way to Kurenai, Anko and Naruto, looking curiously at the former two.
"Papa, are they Shinobi like you?" Masamune asked, curiously looking at smiling Anko and Kurenai. "They look pretty strong." Both Kurenai and Anko both blinked at this one with smiles, while Naruto kneeled before his kids to speak to them.
"Yasaka, Masamune, remember a couple of weeks back I told you about my past, and about two very strong and very kind women that took care of me, about my two big sisters?" Both kids nodded to this one, with Naruto smiling to them rising up. "Now, I would like you two to meet said big sisters of mine. This is Kurenai Yuuhi and Anko Mitarashi, my two big sisters and two of my closest friends in Konoha that I had at the time when I was your age." Naruto gave way to both women to look at them with smiles.
"Hi, little munchkins, I`m Anko!" Anko introduced herself. "Wow, Naruto-kun really wasn`t kidding saying that you are cute. You two look almost delicious enough that I could eat you both up in one go."
"Mama said that people don`t eat other people, because it is bad for stomach and is also very bad manners." Yasaka remembered, with Anko chuckled at this one, moving closer to them both.
"Your mom is right on this one, munchkin." Anko said to Yasaka with a smile, then looking at Masamune. "So, blondie, have something smart to say? You know, you look practically like a copy of your dad here, though his hair used to be of a brighter tone, but yours are also pretty."
"And you also have a very pretty color of hair." Masamune said, with Anko grinning and blushing up. "Papa said that it reminds him of some beautiful flowers. He was right, it kinda reminds me of violets Mama Kurama likes." Anko blushed up at this one, bringing Masamune close to her and hugging him very tightly.
"Aw, you are just so little and cute, and already know the all the right things to say to a lady. Kawaii!" Anko stated, hugging Masamune closely, nearly suffocating him, while Kurenai and Yasaka exchanged words.
"Mama said that you and this violet lady took care of Papa when he was very little. Is that right?" Yasaka suddenly asked of Kurenai, who nodded to her.
"Yes, I took your father in when he was very little, around your and Masamune`s age. He is like a son or a little brother to me, so I hope that we can get along." Kurenai said with a hopeful smile, with Yasaka smiling to her and nodding.
"If Papa is like a little brother to you, than you are like an aunt to me, auntie Kurenai." Yasaka simply said with a smile, while Kurenai chuckled at this one, while Yasaka suddenly bowed before her. "Thank you for taking care of Papa for Mamas." Kurenai almost lost gift of speech at this one.
"N-no problems, i-it was nothing too special for me and Anko." Kurenai stammered a bit, with Yasaka looking up at her.
"Well, if you didn`t take care of Papa, he and Mama wouldn`t meet, and they wouldn`t later have me and Maa-nii-san, that`s what Mama and Papa said to me." Yasaka said to Kurenai, who looked at Naruto and Kurama, who both simply signaled to her to go with it.
"Well, I wouldn`t go that far, but still, thank you. You are a very nice girl, Yasaka." Kurenai said to her with a smile, with Yasaka smiling to her as well. "Say, did your parents tell you what Shinobi are?"
"I don`t know much about Shinobi, but Mama says that Papa is a very strong Shinobi. She says that Papa is one of the strongest Shinobi in the world, and that Baa-chan is the strongest lady in all of world and the best healer, even better than Papa." Yasaka simply answered to her. "She once asked me if I want to be a Shinobi myself one day."
"And what did you answer?" Kurenai was genuinely curious on this subject, interested in Naruto`s kids wanted to go his way. "Do you want to be a Shinobi, like your Papa and Baa-chan?" Yasaka didn`t wait with the answer.
"Nope, I don`t want to." This answer brought a look of surprise from both Kurenai and Anko. "Mama and Papa say that Shinobi fight a lot of bad people, but I don`t like fighting, because it gets people bad and hurt. But I really like how Papa and Baa-chan help people and heal them, so I want to be a healer, like Baa-chan. She is both very strong and can heal people, so I want to be like her."
"Aw, Ya-chan, you make want to cry with pride." Tsunade sniffed, taking away the lone tear coming from her eye, as she hugged her granddaughter from behind. "So sorry, Kurenai, but Ya-chan is already taken as my future best apprentice and successor, so back off. I don`t take kindly to people trying to steal my apprentices, especially my own granddaughter." Tsunade made it clear as day that she was deadly serious on this subject.
"Of course, Lady Tsunade." Kurenai simply gulped at this one.
"Alright, kids, you two get to know your new aunts here, while Baa-chan and I will head to town. We have some things to take care of in town, but I promise that we`ll be back soon." Naruto kissed the forehead of his daughter and ruffed up his son`s hair, before Yasaka suddenly stopped him, but pulling back his pants. "Yasaka, what`s wrong?"
"Papa… Can we not play outside today?" Yasaka suddenly asked of him in a bit of meek and somewhat frightened voice. "There is a lot of people out there and… And they feel bad." This last bit surprised Kurenai and Anko, but not others in here.
"Our little Ya-chan here is a sensor, much like me." Karin answered for everyone, sipping her coffee, after a tough night of healing the idiots outside. "In her age, I too already had developed the ability of sensing others, though little Ya-chan seems to be an even better sensor than me here."
Naruto nodded to this one, confirming what Karin just said, though she did forget to mention, that unlike most of the other sensor types, Yasaka also could sense other people`s emotions and feelings, via a powerful empathy. This was something very unexpected when Naruto and his family first realized it, but Kurama was surprised the most when she found out about it. The humanoid Bijuu explained to her beloved and his wives that she herself possessed a powerful empathic ability, capable of sensing other people from dozens of miles away from her when she wished. It would seem like Yasaka had inherited Kurama`s ability and it may`ve even activated when she was but an infant. The proof to that was the fact of Yasaka reacting accordingly to various emotions that she sensed coming to her: clinging closer when in mother`s loving embrace, laughing when with Matatabi, quietly smiling with Yugito and more.
There was no hiding anything from her, and Naruto understood that well, and he was actually really proud for his girl for taking control over that ability, with Kurama`s guidance. And, unbeknownst to most, he was secretly glad and relieved that Yasaka didn`t want to pursue a life of a Shinobi for herself, instead taking a path of a healer. When he was young, all that Naruto could think of was becoming a Hokage, which meant becoming a Shinobi himself. He was so naïve and foolish… All he wanted was just to be recognized and respected, and since Hokage was the most respected and loved person in the village, it was clear, in young Naruto`s mind, that he would need to be a Hokage so that others would start treating him with respect. Only years, a countless number of killed enemies and hundreds of saved comrades and friends did Naruto realize the full horror and hardship of a way of Shinobi, the way of taking one`s life to save several more. A path, littered with death, blood, treachery, immorality and more… It was a way that destroyed one`s soul, if he were to give into darkness, and Naruto has walked on the line with it for many times, yet managing to not fall.
He didn`t want the same for his children, not really, but he would understand if Masamune and Yasaka had wished to pursue this path. He would teach them both and let them learn what that path is, not to discourage them, but to prepare them for the future. The Shinobi Academy of Konoha has done very little to nothing in preparations of their students to what really is life of a Shinobi, nor did it even teach them more useful stuff, like importance of survival out in the wild or gave the basics in using weapons for close and ranged combat, aside from just kunai and shuriken throwing.
Main reasons why Naruto had learned Kenjutsu and Iryo Ninjutsu were because it was a bit easier to kill your enemies with a skilled usage of a weapon, instead of wasting your chakra on elaborate Jutsu, while Iryo Ninjutsu was essential for every Shinobi to know at least in basics. In the heat of battle, a skilled medic is worth more than a dozen of Shinobi, as he can save your life through medical treatment and not just Jutsu. Naruto himself at first wanted to persue this path in honor of Tsunade, but later because he realized the importance of this Ninjutsu and how it could save other people.
That way, Naruto was capable of turning the tide of war in Mizu through not just being a merciless killing machine, but also as being someone who saved lives. In his own estimates, he saved about 12.491 lives during the Mizu`s Civil War, using Kurama`s chakra, hundreds of Shadow Clones and not sparing anything he had in him in saving lives. Just in battle of Suruga Castle, Naruto and 400 of his Shadow Clones saved 2.671 lives of Tokugawa soldiers and Shinobi on his side. And while he may`ve taken over 20.000 lives over his entire career, which would weigh down on him at times, understanding of the fact that he fought to preserve lives of more people and knowing that he personally saved those 12 thousand men and women gave Naruto some peace to his soul, which would often be troubled by the realizations of your hands being soaked in blood of thousands…
Naruto didn`t want the same for his kids, especially for Yasaka. She has a much gentler heart than he and she deserves better, so he would fully support her in a path of a healer and teach her what he knew, alongside Tsunade. Plus, while she may not like the idea of becoming a Shinobi and Kunoichi, that didn`t mean that Naruto wouldn`t make sure that his little girl wasn`t capable of obliterating any opponents and enemies that threaten her, in self defensive purposes of course. After all, there is no law prohibiting a civilian healer and doctor to be able to wipe the floor with Kage level Shinobi through using S-rank Jutsu, now was there?
Naruto looked at his daughter and nodded to her.
"Yes, Yasaka, you and Maa-kun can play at home, but just make sure not to break anything or get in your mothers` way, okay?" Yasaka and Masamune both nodded and ran towards the living room, with Kurenai and Anko following them, while Karin simply chuckled at this one. "Her ability continues to grow stronger and stronger… I`m starting to become scared at the thought of bringing her to Konoha."
"It is still difficult for her to control her abilities, but she is making a great progress, especially taking into fact that she is only four." Kurama said softly to her husband. "It will be months before she can fully use her ability without trouble, but until then, I`ll be there for her and make sure she never feel alone and scared."
"Same with me here too." Karin suddenly spoke up. "Since you are coming to Konoha, I`ll be sure to pay your regular visits. I could help out your wife here in training little Ya-chan with her sensory abilities, plus it is far better than just hanging out with those idiots outside, especially with that Sasuke-teme… Naruto, just why the hell you didn`t finish him off, for crying out loud?!" Karin shouted at him all of a sudden. "Can you imagine just how badly that bastard has gotten on my nerves?! Since the day he learned of my heritage and what Clan Uzumaki really is and what they are all about, that sleazy looking bishonen has been trying to get in my pants and make me his personal incubator. Fuck, even that damned Council has been trying to marry me to him, and Kushina even supported them in that one, ugh… Why the hell you didn`t bloody kill him?!" Karin demanded to know.
"Well, sorry about that one, Karin. I was about to turn him in ashes, but then a Sage Mode Jiraiya hit me with his Oodama Rasengan, so I kinda wasn`t able to kill him…" Naruto sighed, as he rubbed the spot on his back where he was hit. "Damn it, and that was some really great armor, a Tetsu no Kuni made order, specifically for me… Well, let`s hope Masayuki won`t be mad when he gets it back for repairs… Oh, who am I kidding, he`ll be furious like hell." Naruto simply sighed at the prospects of hearing an earful from the top blacksmith in Tetsu no Kuni."
"Naruto, if you really took a Rasengan, and charged with Senjutsu energy, then I should…" Tsunade immediately was worried when she heard about this one, but Naruto stopped her.
"It`s okay, Kaa-chan. The armor took about 90 percent of damage and the rest 10 I healed up right after I teleported out of the spot." Naruto said to her with a smile. "Still, to fight agaisnt another Sage is not something to look forward to… Though compared to Chen Stormstout, Jiraiya still has a long way to go."
"Isn`t that the name of a famous brewer from Kumo no Kuni?" Tsunade asked of him. "How come that good jolly fella a Sage, what summon does he even has?"
"The Bear Summoning Contract, a Panda one, to precise. And believe me when I say this, Kaa-chan, that jolly fella is capable of brewing the best bear in all of Elemental Nations, and kicking the living hell out of you with you missing every single strike at him." Naruto simply stated, recalling his first meeting with him. "Anyway, we should probably be moving now. We need to visit two places in town, and you need to meet a couple of people, Kaa-chan." Tsunade simply nodded, as the two went to door and exited the house.
Tsunade was dressed in her usual dress up, whist Naruto was dressed in a black and white haori with hakama pants, made in similar to Shinsengumi fashion, with Naruto holstering a katana and wakizashi on his left hip, making him appear much like a Ronin or Samurai in public. As he grew up, Naruto has developed a taste for traditional style of clothing and adopted it over the more modern and 'hip' styles of dressing. With what such change was connected to, it was hard to tell, but Naruto now preferred to dress in such way more than in a modern anyway, not that he would occasionally not dress in more today`s dress up.
Exiting the house, Naruto and Tsunade were greeted with a sight of a small tent camp made right in front of his house, though at some distance. It has taken Shizune, Karin and Hinata to heal up everyone last night, but it was done and the group was able to set up camp right at Naruto`s doorsteps, not wanting to leave the place. Naruto could already sense the glares of Gai, who was near Lee, sitting in a wheelchair, Asuma, with his face now disfigured via a deep scar, destroying his former handsome mug, Sasuke, whose beauty evaporated with his now scarred face and missing eye and arm, and others as well. And right in front of him and Tsunade stood Guren, who was in an argument with Jiraiya and Kushina.
"Okay, are you deaf or just stupid, because I`ve told for a hundred, that Hokage will not be receiving any visitors, that don`t have her permission to enter that house. And she made it damn clear, that anyone, aside from her Guard, Hinata and Kurenai, can`t enter that place, and you aren`t them, so scram." Guren has had enough with those two already as it is in Konoha.
"Listen, you Orochimaru`s whore, unless you let me inside to talk to my Sochi, I`ll make sure that you are trialed and hanged when we reach Konoha." Kushina threatened Guren, who didn`t take that threat well, but didn`t show it directly. "This is a matter of grave importance, so unless you move your crystal plain ass away, I`ll make you move, got it?"
"Then let me counter this one, pepper for brains." Guren didn`t miss the beat. "You take one more step towards that home, and you`ll become the latest example of art, a Crystalized Uzumaki Whore. I bet people would pay quite hefty sums to see something like that." At that one, Kushina was already prepared to unsheathe her katana, when Naruto spoke up.
"While all of your sculptures are worthy great praises, Guren, I doubt that you`ll find much success with this particular exponent." Naruto and Tsunade came out behind Guren and looked at the pair in front of them. "If memory serves me right, I told you to stay away from my house, less you want to suffer the consequences. Are you in a hurry to die, then?" Naruto casually asked of them, with Jiraiya speaking up.
"Naruto, will get off that high horse of yours already and pull that stick out of your ass?! We are trying to protect the legacy of your father and your grandfather and granduncle!" Jiraiya practically shouted at him, with Naruto not reacting to this in any way. "Konoha is in your blood, and you will protect it, like it or not, so you either agree to come with us, or…"
"Or I could just finish what I started last night, but considering that my Kaa-chan and I have reached an agreement in this question, I`ll let you off easy this time." Naruto could clearly see shock upon their faces. "Relax, frog fetishist, I am coming to Konoha, along with my family, so you can stop pestering me about it. However, make no mistake, Jiraiya: after everything you`ve done to me and hidden away from me, there`ll be a cold day in Hell before I even think about forgiving you, her, or anyone in that godforsaken place."
"Naruto, you say it like you don`t give a damn about Konoha." Jiraiya said to him. "It is your home and…"
"You are correct, as I don`t give a damn about it. However, I am a professional Ronin, and professionals don`t let their personal feelings get in the way of completing their mission and doing their job. It is bad for the reputation and business" Naruto simply stated, seeing a questioning look on them. "Why the look of confusion? I`m sure you know how I`ve made my reputation as Hanzo Hattori, right?"
"Wait, Sochi, you mean to tell me that Tsunade… Has hired you? Like a sellsword of something? H-how could you fall so low as to demand payment for protecting your own home, your real family?!" Kushina practically shouted at him, with Naruto not even reacting to this one.
"Kushina, I`ve been stripped of everything by that place, so how else could I sustain my living, if not by using the skills and knowledge I had? And considering that I was trained, poorly and inappropriately, as a Shinobi, there was no other profession for me that could support me and my family. Besides, all Shinobi are nothing more than mercenaries when you think about it: they are given missions, and then paid to complete it, without asking questions about morality or philosophy of life." Naruto simply states to her as if it were a commonly known fact. "The differences between me and the Shinobi from Villages are as such: I can choose which village to work for, while others can`t do so; I have a larger contracting base than most; Ronins may often be paid less money than your average Jonin, but those that have mastered the way of earning their bread get paid on average twice as much as your average Asuma Sarutobi; and finally, I get to choose who are my clients, not the other way around. And this time, my client just so happened to be not Konoha or your Council, but Daimyo of Hi no Kuni herself, so you two may say hi to your newest private military contracted mercenary." That statement got both Kushina and Jiraiya shocked.
"D-Daimyo of Hi no Kuni hired you?! How the fuck did that happen and, if she had a job, than why…" Jiraiya was about to go on a rant, when Tsunade spoke up.
"Because our Daimyo has decided that it`s time for her to step up her game, or our Village will get in a bad light. She tasked me with delivering a message to Hanzo here, who happened to be Naruto, and he agreed on the terms of contract." Tsunade simply stated to them. "So from now on, Naruto Uzumaki is an officially hired Ronin, contracted by Daimyo to work on her in Konoha for a specified duration of time, with a payment and other forthcoming privileges. Like it or not, but from now on, Naruto works for Daimyo as her official aid to Konoha, and has an official political and judicial protection of Fire Court and Daimyo. In other words, you try and mess with him and his family, then you will be receiving his punishment, not mine."
"To think that my own grandson would steep so low… Naruto, your father would…" Jiraiya had hoped that mention of Minato would bring Naruto back to his senses, but it did the opposite.
"My father had wanted for me to make my own way in life, not waste my time in pursuits of other people`s dreams and duties." Naruto simply answered, knowing the truth already, which Jiraiya simply took as a jab to his own pride. "Your pitiful attempts at manipulations and schemes have already cost me everything, Jiraiya, so do not think I`ll let you drag me into that hellhole once again. Find another fool to pass on your so valued legacy, and I believe that Menma has already started grasping it, so focus on him while you still can. And even if you did focus on me, there is literally nothing you could teach me, nothing of worth to me at this point, anyway."
"Oh really? And how about learning an elemental Rasengan, eh? Did you know that your genius of a brother has already perfected the Rasengan of Minato and taught me how to do it?" Jiraiya grinned, 'knowing' that Naruto would get hooked in a second at the thought of getting a new jutsu. "How about that, my apprentice?" Naruto merely blinked at this one, sighing and stepping a couple paces away from them.
He rose up his right hand, and within two seconds a familiar looking spinning ball of chakra formed, yet it seemed like there was fire right inside of it, giving the Rasengan a flaming look. Jiraiya, Kushina, Sasuke, Kakashi, Gai and Asuma looked at this one with shock, seeing Naruto so effortlessly pulling out an elemental variant of Rasengan. Naruto simply looked at Jiraiya with an impassive look, speaking up.
"Does Menma infuse Fire with Rasengan through using Shadow Clones to stabilize the process?" Naruto simply asked of them.
"N-no, he infuses Wind with Rasengan, but his d-does use two Shadow Clones for the process..." Kushina answered in a shocked way. "S-sochi, when and h-how did you learn to do it? I-it took M-Menma years to just make his R-Rasenshuriken, and y-you…"
"Kushina, do not compare Menma and me. We are completely different and probably opposite of one another, so it would be foolish to draw comparisons between us, as we were molded completely and utterly differently into whom we are now." Naruto simply stated, easily dispelling his Rasentaiyou. "If you are finished, Kaa-chan and I have business in town, before I move out tomorrow towards your revered Konoha. You can tag along if you want, but when I say stay away, you will stay away." Naruto and Tsunade didn`t even stay to listen for their reply, as they moved towards the town, while Jiraiya and Kushina quickly followed them, and once the town was in sight, Kushina decided to speak up again.
"S-so… Naruto, what kind of business would you have in town, if you don`t mind me asking?" Kushina wanted to establish a dialogue with her son.
"Personal and professional." Naruto simply stated to her, making it clear he did not want to say any more on this topic, but Jiraiya decided to try some more with Naruto, wanting for his grandson to once again, look at him with adoration.
"You know, if you want a lesson on how to be a professional, than maybe…" Jiraiya spoke in his usual tone, but Naruto cut him off.
"Jiraiya, what did I tell you half an hour ago?" Naruto reminded him.
"Aw, don`t be like that, Naruto. I am just trying to be civil with you here. Are you still mad at me for what I said all those years ago to you? Look, I may`ve done a mistake back then, but you also have to understand that…" Jiraiya had wanted to defend himself, but Naruto didn`t let him.
"Jiraiya, if I`ve cared about your words, I would`ve continued being mad at you to this day, but I don`t. What does tick me off to this day is what you had done to me, how you and that blind fool of a Hokage had nearly destroyed me as a person. I used to think that what Orochimaru had done was horrible, but now… Now I think I`ll actually shake his hand in gratitude, though I would prefer to kill the man myself." Naruto caught a shocked look of Jiraiya, though he did not see it, but he knew how he looked at him, as well as a gasp from Kushina.
"Naruto, do you even hear yourself?! You… you spit on the name of my sensei and our Hokage?! How you even dare to speak of him like that?! This man has led our Village for over half a century, through two wars and many catastrophes, and I will not have some disrespectful brat disrespecting his memory for the good deeds he has done to him, not even by someone like you!" Jiraiya growled, with Naruto let out an amused chuckle.
"All the good he has done to me… What was so good he done to me, hypocrite? Place me in an orphanage, where two matrons had tried to kill me before I turned one, until they kicked me out at three? Let Inuzuka hounds chase me around the Village and chew on my flesh till my near death, so that those hounds knew how to properly hunt? Let his son nearly kill me and then take away my family and memory of it? Or how about the time when I made a friend in Yakumo Kurama, the girl so close to me, that this idiot Gai thought I corrupted her and tried to kill me to 'save her' from me, and the girl lashed out through Genjutsu, leading Gai to traumatizing her body in blind rage? What did Hiruzen do, hm? He forced Kurenai to seal her powers away, while you altered her memories, making her think she was weak her whole life…" Naruto had to control his anger at that last one, as this one cut deep for him. "I have more reasons to hate Third Hokage than Orochimaru has lives to spare. And as for that Konoha that he led oh so wisely… I am honestly surprised that it still stands." Naruto coldly replied, as the group has finally made their way to what seemed like a mix between a police station of Wave and a big dojo, with four policemen, wearing white and blue uniform made of a shirt, a sleeveless jacket and pants and boots, with katanas and wakizashi strapped them.
"Master Hanzo, how are you today? Thank you very much for dealing with those Akatsuki scum yesterday, you`ve saved many lives yesterday." One of the policemen said to Naruto, who merely nodded to him at this one, ignoring another look of shock from Jiraiya and Kushina.
"Nar… Hanzo, you`ve dealt with Akatsuki yesterday?! Why the hell did you not tell me about it?!" Jiraiya, having received an elbow to his ribs, corrected himself, with Naruto replying evenly.
"Slipped my mind, plus I`ve already informed Hokage here about everything, so you can ask her about details." Naruto returned his attention to the policeman in front of him. "I`m here to see my friend, is he here today?"
"Oh, yes, he is right inside, with his student and wife in tow. He decided to pay a visit, to see how the training of policemen coming along, though his contract has expired a while back." The officer said to him, opening the door before Naruto and his group. "You`ll find them inside, at a training yard, as always. Again, thank you very much for what you have done yesterday."
"Don`t mention it." Naruto smiled to him and proceeded inside with his group, passing by the policemen and officers of Wave, all of them either greeting Naruto with great amount of respect and admiration, or bowing low to him for the same reason, but before he has done it all, Naruto made a single Shadow Clone and sent it further into town to find someone he needed.
"Okay, Sochi, who are we going to meet in here? You`ve told me that you two have known each other since Mizu`s Civil War and fought together in there." Tsunade asked quietly of him.
"We have, and, as I have stated before, he is a former Shinsengumi and one of the best swordsmen in the world, easily my better in swordplay. Along with that, Tazuna, now Wave`s Daimyo, had contracted him with establishing, organizing, establishing and training Wave`s Police Force, officers of which you see here." Naruto informed Tsunade, who was starting to think things over, when she heard a new idea from her adopted son. "Considering that Konoha`s Police Force has been effectively defunct for over 12 years, I think as a Hokage you would like an opportunity to reestablish it, with a capable contractor effectively putting t back together."
"What, we are here to see another one of those mercs? Kid, you really need to refresh the circle of your friends…" Jiraiya admonished, but Naruto ignored him as the group entered the training yard, looking at the scene before them.
On the training yard stood four persons, three fully grown young men in training garments and one young girl, dressed in a training garments, with a tied up light brown pony tail hair and green eyes, holding a shinai in her hands, while others held similar weapons. They stood in combat positions, and as soon as the bamboo touched the water in a fountain, the match began. The men moved to attack the girl first, with one in the right aiming at her left, one in the center to strike from above and the last one at her right. Girl didn`t hesitate and moved two paces backwards, with strikes missing her, before went sprinted right at them in full speed.
In what seemed like a blur to these policemen, yet a normal Shinobi speed to Naruto and his group, equal to that of a high Chuunin and low Jonin, the girl appeared again before her enemies, going for one on her left and slashing him with her shinai on his arm in a thrusting attack. His comrades began to move towards her, and girl moved her blade in a horizontal slash, string one who was at the center previously, before ducking at the strike on her. In half seated position, she brought her blade again to her shoulder and thrust at a close range at her only remaining opponent, striking at his vital point and ending the spar. Kushina was very impressed at how well the girl had moved and stroke, recognizing the style of Hirazuki with her trained eye and wondering, who would teach the girl her age the style of Shinsengumi, while Naruto merely smiled at how far this girl has come along in Kenjutsu.
"That will be enough, Mikoto. Well done." Came calm and collected voice, filled with kind tone and softness in it, making the visitors turn to see who the bearer of it was.
A couple of meters away from the group stood a pair of a young man and a young woman. The man had short brown messy hair, green eyes and was dressed in black and yellow coat, with a green shirt underneath with red fingerless gloves above, reaching to his elbows, followed by tight black pants and dark brown high boots. He had a katana and wakizashi on his left and generally looked like a very handsome young man, yet also had an air of calm and collected mind. On his left stood a young beautiful looking girl with red markings on her face, black eyes and brown hair, made into a pony ponytail with two strands on sides of her face. She wears light brown clothing with black shorts and a purse at her side. She looks surprised at seeing Tsunade, who is also greatly surprised at the sight of a girl, but before either can say a thing, young man speaks again.
"Do not take your defeat too close to heart. Mikoto has had more time and practice to master her sword style, as well as more experience in fighting several opponents at once. However, while your combined assault was executed well in theory, in practice, you should not stick so close to each other. It limits your own maneuverability and gives more room for your opponent to strike or evade. When you hold a numerical advantage, use to encircle your opponent and strike at it`s different points, making sure to limit the range of movements for your enemy, as well as lesser his chance on escape and evasion." He spoke in a kind, yet teaching tone, with the men nodding to him. "Now, if you would be so kind as to give us some privacy, as it would seem our guests here have something important to discuss here with me."
"Hai, Taichou!" The men bowed before him and quickly deserted the yard, leaving Naruto and his group alone with this man, his apprentice and the young girl.
"My apologies for not being able to assist you yesterday, Naruto." The man spoke in kind and collected way, turning to him and his group. "The attack of Akatsuki had thrown public into a fray, so I assisted the police and medics in recovering the injured and calming down the populace. Had you not intervened when you did, casualties would`ve been far greater than what we experienced, and fortunately no killed were reported. You have my gratitude for your actions yesterday, Naruto."
"It is nothing new for me, or you. All in the day`s work, Souji." Naruto said with a smile to him, looking at the young girl. "Great job on those three, Miko-chan. Your usage of Hirazuki is almost frighteningly good."
"Thank you, Naruto-sensei." Mikoto smiled to him, bowing before him, before looking at a surprised Tsunade Senju. "Lady Hokage, it has been a long time. I am glad that you appear to be in a good health. I am…"
"Mikoto Sarutobi, the reported dead Genin of Team 13 under Jonin Sasuke Uchiha…" Tsunade spoke in a nearly shocked voice, with Mikoto stiffening at the mention of her former sensei. "You were reported dead by your Sensei more than a year and half ago, killed by Iwa Shinobi in Land of Grass. Yet… Were you able to survive somehow?"
"Not quite… My team did encounter the Iwa Shinobi, only they did not attack us. It was Sasuke Uchiha that attacked and killed them… Before killing my team and nearly killing me." Konoha`s Shinobi paled and widened their eyes at what they heard. "Naruto-sensei had found me, healed me and buried my fallen teammates, before bringing me here. After that, I have become an apprentice to Souji-sensei and lived here. I apologize for not reporting back to Konoha and effectively deserting my Village, Hokage-sama, but I was afraid that I would be putting my life in danger had I done so."
"Wait, in danger? Mikoto, what do you… That arrogant prick Uchiha…" Tsunade gritted her teeth as she understood what had happened there. "To so openly violate laws of Shinobi and all for those damned eyes of his?! I`ll have his head when we return to Konoha for treason and murder of his own Genins!" Tsunade was livid at the realization, that Sasuke Uchiha had murdered his own Genins just to obtain Mangekyou Sharingan.
"Lady Tsunade, I am afraid that Konoha`s Council will not abide to this one. For them, it will only seem like a minor loss for a much greater gain, despite how immoral it was, nor will they risk their relations with the revered Uchiha Sasuke." Spoke up young woman to Tsunade drawing the attention to her. "Sorry for not informing you about myself for such a long time, Hokage-sama, but I was in a similar to Miko-chan position myself."
"Hana Inuzuka… I thought that you and 8 members of your clan had perished on your diplomatic mission to Inumaru Clan of Mizu, with only Kiba surviving." Tsunade spoke, looking at very much living Hana Inuzuka, though without her Haimaru Ninken. "It has been over 5 years now since the report of that mission`s failure, and yet…"
"Oh, Hokage-sama, if only you had known, that your desire to let my Clan`s exiled cousins back was seen as a chance by my mother and most of Inuzuka Clan to completely wipe them out." Tsunade widened her eyes at this one. "I was the only member of that group that rebelled agaisnt the orders of my mother to put essentially, my own kin to the sword. And the other Inuzuka, including Kiba, they took this as a sign of weakness. And Clan Inuzuka is merciless upon weak and supposed traitors…"
Flashback. 5 years and 3 months ago. Mizu no Kuni.
Hana Inuzuka had always known that her clan, the Inuzuka Clan, was the one where brute force, ferocity and wildness were signs of power, strength and authority. Strength was the only valid argument in the Clan and it was maintained through harshness and mercilessness towards those that didn`t understand the core concept of Inuzuka`s philosophy of life: strength is the major argument in all, and it gives you the right to take all that you want. Hana knew that philosophy well, having been beaten it into her by her mother and Head of Clan, Tsume Inuzuka, who instituted it and propagandized it in everyone in the Clan, as well asserting her own place as alpha through making the younger and older generations rival amongst each other for authority and power in Clan, whist she maintained a strong position over weakened by infighting Inuzuka members.
Such system of control and power was something Hana didn`t take to heart, unlike all the others, making her an outcast amongst the clan mates. She despised how her Clan, once a strong pack of wolves, now turned into hyenas, squabbling amongst each other in hopes of gaining power, yet not able to obtain it. Back when Clan Inuzuka was ruled by Hana`s grandfather, Otani Inuzuka, the Clan was one of the proudest and strongest in the Leaf, with its members standing fast and strong for each other. However, all of that had changed when he suddenly died, rumored to have been killed in his sleep by Hana`s mother to take power.
The Clan immediately had split into two factions, with little over a half standing for Tsume as the rightful heir to clan and position of alpha, and the other one being led by Tsume`s younger brother, Hikiba, who was sure that his sister was not fit for the role of alpha and suspected that she had killed their father. All seemed like there would be a civil war in Inuzuka Clan, until Tsume hadn`t appealed to the Third Hokage and Council, painting Hikiba and his supporters as traitors to the Leaf and real killers of Otani Inuzuka. Hiruzen and Council trusted to Tsume, and by his own order, Hikiba and his supporters were banished from Konoha and Hi no Kuni forever, though Tsume had wanted them dead, so that there would be no opposition to her power.
Decades later, and now that Mizu was in a state of civil war, with Hikiba and his own clan, now named Inumaru, participating in it on side of Tokugawa Ieyasu. The reports have reached Konoha about severe losses in life and ninken of Inumaru, as well as how Clans Oda, Hashiba and Shibata were preparing to wipe them out. Tsunade decided to lift their banishment and welcome them back in Konoha, to strengthen the positions of Konoha and Clan Inuzuka as a whole. She had tasked Tsume Inuzuka with coming up with the right group for a diplomatic mission to Mizu no Kuni, but Tsunade was far too trusting to Tsume, who wouldn`t have Hikiba and his renegades back. Instead of a diplomatic mission, she made a group for a cleanup operation, to wipe out the remaining Inumaru members, with Kiba and Hana being on it. Kiba was more than happy to wipe them all out, along with other members of his team, while Hana was abhorred and horrified, yet submitted to this.
However, once they`ve reached for Mizu no Kuni and they were soon to reach the Inumaru Clan site, her group and Kiba killing almost a half of clan`s injured, elderly and too young, as the rest of clan was out defending the pass to their camp, Hana rebelled against the orders of her mother. That wasn`t taken well by her other teammates, especially by Kiba, who was the first one to attack her and Haimaru triplets. His Gatsuga ripped through one of the triplets without mercy, killing him, with Hana horrified and shocked at how merciless her own little brother was. Her other teammates weren`t any less violent and or merciful, with their ninken literally eating away the other two Haimaru hounds, and their human partners beating her mercilessly and having their way with her body. Even her own brother, her own flesh and blood, didn`t stay away from her and was even the first to violate her in that way. In several hours, Hana, rapped, beaten to half death and violated on more than one level, laid down on the ground and looked how Kiba pulled back his pants after finishing with her, snarling at her.
"Hah, I guess you were good at least for something, Hana. A shame such a nice bitch has to be put down, but you know our way, sister: only strong can live in Inuzuka, and you are weak." Kiba smirked at her, as his teammates were all ready to finish her off as well, with Hana unable to even move a muscle of her bloodied, inured and violated naked body.
However, just as Kiba was about to deliver her the finishing blow with his own fangs, screams, whines and shouts of terror and pain filled the forest and night. Right behind Kiba and Akamaru, his group came under a coordinated attack of what seemed like samurai wearing blue and white haori, cutting their way through Inuzuka Shinobi without mercy. Among them, one could see an all-black Shinobi, wearing a full mask with faceguard, leather armor all over his torso, shoulders, arms and legs, and black clothing on it, slashing with a katana and wakizashi at the enemies. And as for the ninken, they were mercilessly pounded and ripped apart by similar looking hounds and men and women of Inumaru Clan, distinguished by their blue makings on cheeks and chins. And their head, a tall man with long messy black hair and brown eyes, followed by a large white wolfhound, made his way to Kiba and picked him with one hand, while his wolfhound pinned Akamaru to the ground, not letting him to come to rescue of his partner. The man spoke up.
"Your stench… You are one of Tsume`s brats, aren`t you?" Hikiba only received a nod from him, which made the man snarl at him. "So this is how you Inuzuka act? Strike at our elderly, sick and babes?! And then even going as far as to have your way with your own flesh and blood?!" Hikiba smashed Kiba agaisnt the ground and ordered three of his clan members to hold him, as he turned to the black Shinobi. "Hanzo Hattori, may I borrow your wakizashi here?" Now identified Hanzo simply nodded to him, handing him over his blade, which Hikiba took immediately and walked to Kiba and knelt before him. "Your comrades and their dogs have been punished, but you… You will not get away with just death. It would be only a salvation for you. You mounted your own sister, beaten and violated her… In true Inuzuka Clan, there was only one suitable punished for degenerated shits like you!" Hikiba snarled at him and then sent Hanzo`s wakizashi to Kiba`s manhood…
The screams of Kiba filled the night, as Hikiba implemented the punishment upon him, carving away from him one thing that made him a man. The greatest shame for Inuzuka man is to lose their manhood, the symbol of their prowess and what allowed them mount women, to be rendered less than shit and unable to mate and spread their genes. Only three times has this punishment taken place in Inuzuka Clan, and each time, it was the Head of Clan that done it. Hikiba easily carved away Kiba`s member, before ripping it out of him and throwing it away, all the while Kiba had screamed out of unimaginable pain. Hikiba stood up and gave his commands.
"Stop his bleeding there and let that ninken of his go with him. He`ll carry the message from us to that bitch Tsume and she`ll know, what she will get if she deals with us like that again." Hikiba ordered, as one of the medics went to do so with Kiba, while he handed the wakizashi to Hanzo, but he decided not to accept it.
"I would rather throw it away, then use it again, Hikiba-san." Hanzo said with a disgusted tone, with Hikiba agreeing with him and throwing it away as well, while he and Hanzo moved to Hana, followed by the commander of the Shinsengumi here.
"What savagery… To do such a thing with one`s clan member, a blood sister no less…" Captain of Shinsengumi said in utter shock, while Hanzo examined her seemingly lifeless body.
"She looks a lot like Tsume in her youth, yet there is clarity and honesty in her eyes… Such a shame… For my own blood and flesh to fall so low as to…" Suddenly they all heard a sharp inhale coming from the girl. "Kami, she is still breathing?!"
"Yes, though barely. She needs help and she needs it fast!" Hanzo immediately began to use his Mystical Hand Healing. "I can only stabilize her condition and support her, but she needs serious medical attention ASAP, otherwise she won`t survive till nightfall!"
"Alright, medics! Heal this pup with all you`ve got, she`s one of us now!" Hikiba commanded with a roar, as four additional medics went to work on Hana Inuzuka, saving her life.
End of Flashback.
"…Soon after I was stable enough, I was moved to Mikawa Hospital for proper rehabilitation, where I stayed for the next six months." Hana ended her tail, with Tsunade, Jiraiya and Kushina looking sick and pale. "After the war was over, I was offered a place in Inumaru Clan, but I turned it down and decided to quite being Shinobi all together, pursuing a medic`s career with vet`s as well. And, about 4 years ago, I`ve married one of my rescuers." Hana looked with smile at her husband, who returned it in kind. "So now I am Hana Okita, Hokage-sama."
"Hana Okita… Wait, then that means you are…" Tsunade had wide eyes when she looked at the young man in front of her, who nodded to her and answered.
"My, where are my manners? I completely forgot to introduce myself properly, haven`t I? Lady Tsunade Senju, it is my privilege and honor to meet a medic of such renown and legend." The man made a small bow to her. "Allow me to introduce myself properly to you. I am Souji Okita, former member of Shinsengumi and Captain of their 1st Division, now retired, as you can see for yourself. "
"Souji Okita?! Like the same Shinsengumi swordsman that is hailed as the best sword in all of Elemental Nations, capable of outmatching the entirety of Seven Mist Swordsmen on his own?!" Jiraiya looked in shock at the guy before him. "You hardly look past 20 to me, yet you are telling me, that this scrawny kid is an S-rank Ronin, that had killed Mitsuhide Akechi and Nagamasa Azai, two of the world renown Mizu`s swordsmen in duels?!"
"Rumors exaggerated my deeds quite a great deal, I assure you. I am skilled in swordplay, true, but to go up agaisnt Seven Ninja Swords of Mist would be suicidal for me, and there are better swordsmen than me out there, like Hajime Saito and Kenshin Himura, both my dear friends and quite fearsome swordsmen themselves." Souji humbly stated about himself. "As for Mitsuhide and Nagamasa… I did have the assistance of my good friend Hanzo, or Naruto, here."
"Ever the humility himself, aren`t you, Souji…" Naruto simply shook his head at the antics of his friend. "You`ll never admit a clear fact about yourself, even if it`s as great as those, won`t you? And you didn`t even need my help out there with them, all I did was simply keep the reinforcements away, you did the job with them on your own there."
"Perhaps, my friend, but your help and support there were invaluable for me and our cause." Souji smiled to him. "Now, do not take this the wrong way, but… Would you mind telling my why do I, my lovely wife and my apprentice here, stand in a presence of two out of three Sannins and Konoha`s Mistress of Sword and Seals all of a sudden? Would it have something to do with Konoha`s group suddenly invading your property last night?" Souji asked of Naruto in a serious voice.
"It would, Souji, it most certainly would…" Naruto sighed at this one. "I have a… business proposition for you, but first I would like to discuss it with you and Hana in private, if you two do not mind?"
"Seeing how your mother, our Hokage and former teacher of yours are here, I assume this has something to do with Konoha?" Hana asked of Naruto, who nodded to her, with her turning to Mikoto. "I wish for Mikoto to also be there, if this is possible."
"Actually, it would be great." Naruto looked at Mikoto, who nodded to him, moving closer to Naruto. "Souji?"
"Let us take this to the warehouse here, it has a good soundproofing and there we shall be able to talk without being interrupted." Naruto nodded to him, with him, Souji, Hana and Mikoto going towards the warehouse and leaving Naruto`s group here alone.
Meanwhile, in the other part of town.
"You continue to find trouble upon yourself, Naruto." A young looking woman with green hair made into a bun, with orange bangs on her sides, and orange pupilless eyes, dressed in an attire consisting of a sleeveless, backless top and short tight pants, with two lapels on the front and the back, with an obi around her waist, as well as purple arm-warmers which extend up to her shoulders, and has bandages around her tights and ankles, said to Naruto with a chuckle. "First the Akatsuki show up to wreck things up while I was out in port`s market, then your old friends show up for a little reunion, followed by your Hokage and now you are tasked with completing the most ambitious and one of the most audacious missions in history… I would envy you, but that`s beneath me."
"I take it Yugi-chan has spilled the beans to you already over the phone, didn`t she?" Naruto simply shook his head at this one, while his friend merely nodded. "Well, add up to this the appearance my mother, godfather and the guy that nearly killed Miko-chan and the asshole that violated Hana-chan, and you can imagine how my evening went yesterday…"
"Wait, you mean to tell me that Sasuke Uchiha and Kiba Inuzuka were there too?" She asked surprised of him. "I remember how pissed you were at both of them for what they had done. I`m still surprised that the dog bastard had survived the castration…"
"Well, Hikiba may`ve punished him that way, I`ve decided to finish him off for good." Naruto saw a look of surprise on his friend`s face again. "He and Akamaru now burn in Hell for all I know. And as for that Uchiha SOB… He had a bad taste of my Enton, costing him half of his face, one Sharingan, burned up half of body and an arm, but that bastard has more luck than me in gambling in surviving, as Kushina and Jiraiya stepped in and saved him, goddammit!" Naruto cursed at this one, with his friend shaking her head at his misfortune. "Why wouldn`t Itachi finish that fucker off back then, is just beyond me… So anyway, you know what I`m up agaisnt and what my mission now is. I know that asking you of a favor after all you had done for me is just ungrateful, and I will accept if you want to stay here, but…"
"Just give a couple of hours to pack up my things and I`ll be good to go." She simply said to him, surprising Naruto. "Naruto, did you really think I`ll leave my former student, best friend and a father of my goddaughter out on this one? I`m not going to let those vultures get anywhere close to my family and kids, and I too have a score to settle with Konoha of my own, if you recall, so I am game on this one, whether Souji, Hana and Miko-chan are coming or not." Naruto smiled to her back.
"Thank you, Pakura. This means a lot to me." Naruto said genuinely to his former sensei, Pakura, former Kunoichi of Sand, user or Scorch Release and one of the heroines of Mizu`s Civil War.
Sorry it took some time, but here you have, next chapter of this story. And with it, the reveals of what Kiba has done, and who are those that Naruto needed.
If you people know the history of Meiji Restoration and Bosin War, then you would at least have heard of man named Souji Okita, one of the captains of Shinsengumi and it`s more famous member, who died from tuberculosis at age of 20 or so. Well, this Souji is alive and kicking, healthy like a bull, humble like a monk and deadly like the sharpest katana. He is married happily to Hana, teaches Mikoto Sarutobi and is about the best swordsman around, better than Naruto in it, which he`ll prove in next chapter.
Now, I was heavily compelled to use Haku in this one, give her (yes, yes, I know it`s almost cliché now) a spotlight, but after some thinking, I decided to highlight someone who doesn`t get as much of shine as she should. Pakura of Shakuton, one of the more beautiful (in my opinion) ladies out there, with one of the most devastating and deadly Kekkei Genkai abilities and betrayed so cruelly and badly by her own people… She is in this story, and what is her story with Naruto will be highlighted in future. Oh, and she is in Harem for sure.
Also, thank you all very much for your support and how you responded to what I had said in last chapter. I apologize for that rant, I was riled up and I shouldn`t have taken it out on you. Now I am good and grateful to you all for your support.
Tình trạng nguồn điện hàng tuần
-- Xếp hạng
Quyền lực 
-- Đá
Quyền lực